Meaning & Definition of word "Suffix"
to
Suffix
/ˈsʌf.ɪks/
noun:
- 1. A morpheme added at the end of a word to form a new word or to alter its grammatical function.
- Example: The suffix '-ing' can be added to the verb 'run' to form 'running.'
- 2. An additional element added to something more substantial, typically to modify its meaning.
- Example: In programming, a file name can have a suffix like '.txt' to indicate it's a text file.
- 3. A letter or group of letters added at the end of a word.
- Example: The word 'happiness' has the suffix '-ness' attached to the root 'happy.'
Etymology
From Latin 'suffixus', meaning 'to fasten underneath'.
Common Phrases and Expressions
suffix tree:
A data structure that represents a collection of suffixes.
suffix function:
A function that operates on the suffixes of a string.
Related Words
prefix:
A morpheme added to the beginning of a word.
root:
The base part of a word to which affixes are added.